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- -- -s---~--I -9-_C-L-sgP-IIIC --~-LP--B~--~-P -----~---- = ------. ---~ -- -- ---- I
November 5, 2008 November 17, 2008
BY STEPHANIE SH~ACTER
SHPiEL staff writer
Cuisine is the most recent possession
being claimed as "mine!" in the Middle
East.
The Lebanese Industrialists
Association is preparing to sue Israel for
claiming traditional Lebanese cuisine as
theirs. The president of the union, Fady
Abboud, said Israel's appropriation
of foods such as hummus, falafel and
tabouleh has cost Lebanon millions of
dollars,
According to the Los Angeles Times,
the union is working to register a brand
for hummus with the government in
Beirut. They hope it will appeal. to the
international courts against Israel. This
process could take up to a year, and it
must be successful before any progress
can be made in the union's pursuit of
Lebanon's right to its claimed native
foods.
It is difficult to determine the
"ownership" of hummus because
resources say the true origin of hummus
is lost in antiquity,
The only possible history of hummus
comes from Thomas Stadnik, an
esteemed international and comparative
lawyer as well as the legal editor and
writer for LexisNexis.
He says written historical records
date hummus recipes back to the
Byzantine Empire. He explains that
SE1E CUISINE, PAGE 2
This. Wow.
This is a good
feeling. This
is a different
~F~a~feeling.
Nov. 4 was
a mending, of
sorts. And it
was an answer,
President-elect
Barack Obama said in his victory speech
in Chicago.
"It's the answer that--that led those
who've been told for so long by so many
to be cynical and fearful and doubtful
about what we can achieve to put their
hands on the arc of history and bend it
Once more toward the hope of a better
day."
I remember that fear and doubt and
cynicism. I remember feeling helpless
and purposeless in middle school. I
remember the sinking, empty feeling
when America was led to a divisive
head in 20i00, led by my home state of
Florida, led to the edge, forced to endure
recount after recount and handed off to
a man who, I felt even then as a barely
pubescent me, could speak about as
well as some of my classmates.
I mean, this was the United States of
America. This was the greatest country
SEE OBAMA, PAGE 3
THE SHP
VOLUME 6 ISSUE 6
7 Cheshvan 5769 19 Chdishvan 5769
EL
Lebanon, Israel clash over
ownership of mashed chickpeas
'This is your victory.'
Now, revel mn it
I I _ _
CUISINE, FROM PAGE 1 '
Greek, Turkish, Syrian, Lebanese,
Armenian, Palestinian, Egyptian and
Tunisian restaurant menus all look
and sound so similar because these
lands and their people meshed culture
and cuisine through trade during and
after this time period. Even many
Slavic countries show the Byzantine
trade influence in their dishes.
This may cause difficulties when
Lebanon scavenges for proof that
hummus is strictly theirs.
The country's hopes for owning
hummus may be rooted in the precedent
of the Greek feta cheese ruling made in
2002.
According to USA Today, although
production of the cheese spread to
other European countries, Greece was
eventually granted ownership to the
cheese's name because of qualities of
feta only Greece could offer.
It's the grazing of local ewes ~and
goats on Greek terrain that gives feta
cheese its specific odor and tasyl, so all
feta cheese sold iti the Europeak~Union
must be made with Greek sheep and
goat's milk. -
Therefore, it must be proven that
Lebanon's chickpeas are specific to
making delicious hummus.
The argument that Israel stole
hummus or .that Greek terrain is a must
for the specific odor and taste of feta
cheese may sound funny, but countries
camube prtoeicrtif i i something that hae
dinner table for so many years.
Other similar conflicts are France's
ownership of the champagne name and
Italy keeping Parma ham and Parma
cheese from being packaged and sold
from anywhere besides its city of
Parma.
Such a conflicts only funny within
a country that has a melting pot of
cultures and cuisines, such as the
United States or Israel.
Both countries have been places
of refuge for groups of people. When
people move, their culture and cuisine
follow, reside and mix into the place
they newly inhabit.
As a result, the European apple pie
now shares the All-American title, the
German hamburger and hot dog celebrate
the United States' independence and
the Italian pizza is widely delivered in
cheese and pepperoni to frugal college
students and served at countless Chuck
E. Cheese birthday parties.
Those foods have rooted themselves
deep into the American culture just as
hummus has into the Israeli culture.
Has the news of this lawsuit stirred
the people of Israel? Arielle Kushner,
an international student at Tel Aviv
University studying international
relations and Middle Eastern studies,
doesn't seem to think so.
"No one cares," she said.
See our Hummus Guide on page 10.
C AS T H 5 R J K L
H G LO O B' I T T EI S
I R AN R I~ NSE AiSH I
CO V E T S E RS H I N
C L I RE DUNAMM
D E a L E R ASK M E
4 L ROS EN S E uMiENhiT
D e E T L O G DPR 1l V
Y LOH D ~ECZE T
G E ES N rsME t iL E
M B PES T 5 1- i G IN
ROClra E I_ T E R AN~D
5 Ic K D L LS TREE
LEA Sl'NE ET SliIND
After attempts to form a new coalition government fell apart following a
negotiations impasse, Kadima leader Tzipi Livni has called for early Israeli
general elections, to be held in mid-February. .
Livni, the current foreign minister, narrowly edged transport minister
Shaul Mofaz in September leadership elections for Israel's governing party,
the centrist Kad-ima. The leadership contest began after the unpopular
current prime minister, Ehud Olmert, announced his intention to resign amid
a corruption scandal.
Efforts by Livni and Kadima negotiators to form a new coalition gained
the support of Kadima's current major coalition partner, Labor, but failed to
win over the crucial Sephardic religious party, Shas, which demanded large
state subsidies for children and a commitment to never discuss the status
of Jerusalem during peace~talks as conditions for joining the coalition. Livni,
who would be Israel's second woman prime minister, following Golda Meir,
said she favored elections to "extortion."
Early speculation favored the rightist Likud party, led by former Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but recent polls give Kadima an edge.
(Berlin "Silent Heroes" exhibition pays tribute to Germans who resisted
Nazis)
The world's first memorial dedicated to the Righteous Among the
Nations--those non-Jews who helped Jews escape the Nazis during the
Holocaust opened in Berlin Oct. 28.
The exhibition, "Silent Heroes," is sponsored by the German Resistance
Memorial Center Foundation and documents the story of about 20,000 non-
Jewish Germans who helped Jews flee from the Nazis or hide in the country
from 1938 to 1945, usually at great personal risk. Three rooms of exhibition
material include both multimedia including oral accounts and touch screens
as well as historic artifacts such as letters, photos and diaries,
About 5,000 Jews hiding in Germany survived the war, and. research
indicates that up to 50,000 Germans may have been involved in hiding each
one, said foundation director Johannes in the period from 1938 to 1945.
(German economist's Holocaust comment sparks furor)
Remarks by a prominent German economist published Oct. 26 have led
to condemnation from Jewish groups.
Hans-Werner Sinn, head of the Munich-based Ifo Institute for Economic
SResearch think tank, told the newspaper Tagesspiegel that ,"In every crisis,
people look for someone to blame, for scapegoat. Even in the global economic
crisis of 1929, no one wanted to believe in an anonymous system failure-
Then it hit Jews in Germany, today it is managers."
The Central Council of Jews in Germany demanded an apology, and itS
secretary-general called the comparison "outrageous, absurd and completely
misplaced." Labor unions and political leaders have also criticized Sinn,
with Social Democrat MP Sebastian Edathy told the Cologne newspaper
K81ner Stadt-Anzeiger that Sinn sounded "out of his mind."
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The Only Student-Run Jewish Campu Nwsae in the County Right Here attheUnvriyoFoid
zB~I ? i.iel r. :;;~i-I
visit the new theshpiel.org
Editor-in-Chief
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Managing Editor
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2 | NEWS
The SHPiEL: Volume 6, Issue 6
a hummus rumpus
B n efs
BY BEN CAVATARO
{Livni to call snap elections early next year)
E FT" P C3 f~t I m. 01
rl ...where healthy never tasted so good!
D'liteS is the BEST real soft
serve ice cream shop in Gainesville.
We specialize in delicious low-sugar and low-fat ice
cream (with no artificial sweetners). And that's not
all...we also carry a full 11ne of low-
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as many low-fat and fat-free goodies. if
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The SHPiEL: Volume 6, Issue 6
visit the new theshpiel.org
The America in my text books
eis ie w at Amer Cwasu lie t hog
well then it isn't fair that this is the
America I've been handed. And still I
felt that sinking stomach feeling, that
painful pointless feeling of youth, that
slow grind of growing up so that I could
some day make a difference and have
a voice.
Those were all just feelings. Bad
feelings. I knew I was' supposed to feel
privileged and proud and blessed by God
to live and grow here. But I couldn't.
OBAMA, FROM PAGE 1
on earth. A country of tolerance and
openness and freedom and prosperity.
Literally, a light unto all other nations.
But this is the light we're shining?
That election was the first hairline
crack in my porcelain-perfect
perception of my country. And later, it
was the beginning--for me and many
of my peers--of the Us and the Them,
of the abstract, eternal battle between
good and evil becoming real, blaring 24
hours a day from my leaders' mouths
on my mind-numbing TV. -
Today though,
things are different.
And maybe it's
just a feeling. And
maybe feelings are
based on nothing
rational or concrete.
I'm not sure. But
this. Wow. This is a
good feeling.
"This is your
victory," Obama
said. Now, let's
revel in it.
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N~EWS | 3
feeling warm and fuzzy
about Amenica agamn
TA:
Coverage of the Jewish vote and Jewish leaders re-elected,
elected (an Al Franken recount, anyone?) for the first time or
defeated (the blind rabbi running for Congress in New Jersey
who lost to a three-term incumbent) in the race for Congress is
sprinkled with reports about new clashes in Gaza and rockets,
in apparent violation of cease-fire, launched into Israel.
First exit polls show Obama nearly matching the support
Gore received in 2000 from Jews. Obama at 78 percent, 21
for McCain (compared to Gore's 79 percent and Kerry's 74
percent).
The Jerusalem Post:
An Obama mentor, Abner Mikva, said in response to concerns
about Israel's relationship to an Obama presidency: "Barack
will be the first Jewish president in the US." He went on to sayi
that Obama has a yiddeshe nishama, a Jewish soul.
The West Bank village of Turmusayya, dubbed "Little America"
because about 60 percent of its 5,500 residents are US
citizens, is overwhelmingly pro-Obama. Still, many citizens
don't think the outcome of this election will matter anyway.
"It's irrelevant who's going to wirr because the US policy is
decided by the Jewish lobby in America," said Amin Ibrahim,
a former resident of San Diego, California. "The Jews control
America and this is a well-known fact."
Jewl'icious:
*Meh.
Jewcy:
The obligatory guilt trip from a Jewish mother telling us to
vote, get involved, become activists.
Surprisingly, not much else from the Jewcy camp.
J ewsch oo :
Recommended pre-voting reading: Some Talmud that
apparently tells us we should vote for Obama because that's a
vote for righteousness and justice.
And after you've read that, a prayer for the voting booth from
Rabbi David Seidenberg.
Arutz Sheva (1srael National News):
In the leading biog post, "Look Who's Rooting for Obama," on
this unofficial paper for the Israeli settler movement, Michael
Freund wrote: "The bottom line is that Obama makes Teheran,
Tripoli and Gaza convulse with excitement, and that alone
should make the rest of us shudder with fear."
Relatively tame coverage (relative to what I assumed would
be their response) of Barack Hussein Obama's victory--other
than the Freund's blog post and the fact that the site is framed
in anti-Obama ads. One of the few Israeli papers that buried
stories of Obama's victory.
The Stranger:
.Massive headline on The Stranger, a newspaper in Seattle,
sums it up nicely: FUCKK YEAH! PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA!"
Drmnking kosher
What kinds of beverages
Q": don't comply with the
Slaws of kashrut?
For the college student, two
A.particular types of beverages
immediately spring to mind: alcohol
and coffee. I've chosen these drinks as
the focus of this article.
Wine is a beverage that -even
my just-budding understanding
of .the complexities of kashrut can
comprehend. I won't give the breakdown
on vintages, but the bottom line is this:
wines are kosher if they were produced
in accordance with the rules of kosher
wineries. The bottle will indicate if it is
acceptable to drink.
For harder alcohol, things become a
little more complicated. Liquor is one
of very few food and drink options in
because the producer
other alcohol at the
plant and cannot be
~e of very few
ink op lons
rly simple
:or kashrut,
caffeinated or not, are acceptable if
bought in a disposable cup. Sugar and
milk are also allowed as additions. As
for other additives, such as creamers or
flavors, these must be added into the
beverage separately after the beverage
itself is determined kosher.
Often, beverages like frappuccinos
or other coffees with whipped toppings
are prepared using carafes or other
tools in which non-kosher beverages
have been made. Flavored coffees may
receive their taste from non-kosher
additives. As a general rule, avoid such
drinks and stick to unflavored roasted
coffee.
All in all, your morning pick-me-up or
party beverage of choice may make your
rabbi frown. Still, don't be surprised
if you see him (or her) downing a few
(or several) shots of vodka on the next
Shabbat.
Email your kosher cuisine questions to
elaine@theshpiel.org.
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The SHPiEL: Volume 6, Issue 6
visit the new theshpiel.org
advisable to drink alternatives to single
malt. As with liqueurs, flavored vodka
is a no-no. Smirnoff is the only brand
specified by saveur.com as off-limits,
the United States that has fairly simple
guidelines for kashrut.
Generally, Bourbon and gin are no
problem. Liqueurs, which often have
flavoring, should be looked upon
warily if there is no seal of kosher
certif ication. Likewise, spices in dark
rum call the drink
into question.
R~umis acceptable Liquor is on
only if it is white f od ad d
rum and bottled Oo a r
in the Caribbean, that has fa i
according to an
article about guidelines f
drinking kosher
on saveur.com,
Brandy and scotch have limitations
based on their origins. Brandy is
distilled from wine, and therefore its
kosher status is always questionable.
The best bet is to avoid it altogether.
Scotch, if single malt, has typically
been aged in casks previously used for
port or sherry, and for this reason, it is
often packages
same bottling
given a kosher
guarantee.
South-of-the-
border flavors
are acceptable-
tequila bottled
in Mexico
(without the
worm, which
is actually
associated with
a related drink,
mescal) should present no problems.
As for coffee, there are four
Starbucks on UF's campus. Which of
their caffeinated brews are kosher?
According to Star-K, an organization
which provides kosher certification
worldwide, unflavored roasted coffees,
4500 Newberry Road
Gainesville, FL 32607
phone: 352-336-6037
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BKE SANG-1.TP ~1352-3775-5817
'' -~-
41 ~ NEWS
A k
BY ELAINE WILSON
E sth e Answers to all your kosher
4 5 *culinary questions
Selling bikes for a down payment on karma:
An interview with David Bingaman ssessass ~ -i";i:i~~ '"'i4
Jewish Geography, version 2.1: A game the whole tribe can enjoy
visit the new theshpiel.org
Bingaman's decision to sell Schwinn
products in Gainesville was not by
chance. His first bike at the age of 4
was a red Schwinn Pixie. His father, a
union worker, supported the company
because the bikes were made in America
at the time.
Now, Bingaman owns a collection
of vintage Schwinn bikes at his home
in Ocala and rides them every day.
Originally from South Florida, Bingaman
attended the University of Florida, where
he maj ored in electrical engineering and
lived in the "student ghetto."
"I love Gainesville, I think it's a more
earthy place," he said.
At his shop, Bingaman allows college
students to get their bikes fixed or find
a part they need and pay later.
"Karma's a circle," he said. "I'd prefer
you to be safe and pay me later."
Bingaman said he is glad to give a
handout to someone in need, but he
retains his business-like mind in his
sales. He strives to make an accurate
sale rather than being pushy.
"The best way to sell something is to
be enthusiastic," he said. "I'm naturally
enthusiastic, and it is contagious."
In the corporate world, his methods
caught people off-guard. When he went
to meetings to close a deal, his clients
were surprised at his long, black ponytail
and beard, he said. Bingaman said they
thought he was a "freak" until he started
to talk. Then it was apparent that he had
done his homework thoroughly.
BY ANKITA RAO
SHPiEL staff writer
Most people don't leave David
Bingaman's bike shop with empty
hands. If it isn't a Schwinn, it's an ice
cream sandwich, water bottle or a free
spin around the neighborhood.
Once a corporate salesman and
trainer, Bingaman chose to replace a
money-driven career with one of his
passions -- bicycles,
"I was very successful," he said, "and
very unhappy."
Bingaman said he stepped back and
found that he was too plugged into the
system. He decided he wanted to spend
more time with his wife and give to the
community.
Five weeks ago, he opened Schwinn
Shop Inc. on University Avenue. The
store features road bikes, mountain
bikes and scooters as well as used
bikes.
Schwinn Shop Inc. is also home
to Wheels for Jobs, an initiative to
distribute bikes to impoverished people
and provide new opportunities for work
in Gainesville.
This way, he said, everybody can
leave with a bike.
Bingaman buys used bikes to give
away for Wheels for Jobs or to sell in
the store,
"I've discovered the gift of giving,"
he said. "I think of everyone as the
same, as equal, when they come in."
The Schwinn Shop Inc. Photo by Emily Hanson.
"I'm the guy that makes things
happen," he said.
Selling bicycles is much less
pressure since his store is not necessary
for financial support, he said. He
emphasizes customer service and
finding the value of a product, not just
the cost.
"What I like least is when a customer
thinks I'm going to try to rip them
off," Bingaman said. "I still struggle to
communicate my true sincerity."
This sincerity lies in making people
smile and finding them the right bike,
which he says is the most satisfying
goal.
Recently, a customer bought a bike
from Schwinn Shop Inc. only to have
everything but the front tire stolen
within a week. Bingaman gave him a
new bike for no cost.
"And I got a tire out of it," he said,
laughing.
In the end, Bingaman said he just
wants people to have a bike that makes
them happy, a way to help save the
environment and something that will
withstand the sun and rain.
"Everyone who walks in my door is a
welcome guest," he said.
the history of their entire family, they
were inspired to "plant the seed" for
everyone to start their own family
trees.
Because the site is used by more
than one million people, this program
can help you find people from all over
the world linked in some way to your
family who you may not have known
existed.
The site is fairly simple and user-
friendly. Simply add yourself, your
immediate family and any other
relatives (grandparents, aunts, etc.).
The family tree function is just
one of many programs that Famillion
offers users. Famillion allows people
to research the history of their family
and the origins and locations of long-
distance relatives. You can even look
up your last name and find the "roots"
of your family tree. -
However, there are some downfalls
to this program. To accurately establish
and significantly connect your family
tree with others, you must first know a
vast amount of your distant and older
relatives.
Similarly, the searches for last names
often come up negative, probably
because of the vast amount of similar
names that were changed upon arrival
into America (basically, there are too
many "Steins," "Golds" and "Bergs" out
there).
According to the site, "the Famillion
system allows you to understand your
personal connection and relation to
essentially any other person in the
world."
This is truly important for the Jewish
community because, if we only take up
a fraction of the Earth's population,
we better do so together, connected in
some form.
This is why Famillion is teaming up
with several different Jewish agencies
in order to expand its database.
Some people are skeptical and
wary because they may not wish to
climb too high (or possibly too low,
metaphorically speaking) into their
family tree for fear of unwanted news.
For instance, how would a respectable
Hassidic Jew feel after discovering that a
distant cousin converted to Christianity
and became a Catholic, especially if this
information was available to anyone on
the Internet?
Like all other programs similar
to Famillion, there are upsides and
downsides, but because of the amount
of members, Famillion can provide its
users with a comprehensive connection
to several other Jews (and non-Jews)
around the world, something that
competing systems often fail to
provide.
It's time for us all to start working
on our family trees--next time you
find yourself going around and around
in the ever-so-fun game of Jewish
Geography, you can proudly state that
your great-grandmother's ex-husband's
son's nephew is somehow related to
any Stein, Berg or even Attermann who
is thrown your way.
Go to http:/www. themarker. com/ibo/
register/famillion/register.jhtml to start a
family tree today.
BY JEREMY ATTERMANN
SHPiEL contributing writer
You all know the routine. You walk
into a room full of Jews and begin
schmoozing. You inevitably end up
asking where someone is from, or what
high school they went to, or something
along those lines. And thus begins the
game of Jewish Geography.
Now, thanks to the Famillion
Company in conjunction with daily
Israeli newspaper Haaretz, the Jewish
Geography game doesn't have to be
limited to the kids in your synagogue
or the ones who went to your summer
camp.
The new "family tree" program that
Famillion and Haaretz have helped start
can show you not only your family
lineage but also how you connect to
other Jews around the world.
The idea all started when Dan Rolls,
the founder of Famillion Ltd., and his
wife produced their first family tree
through the standard means of genetic
testing. Upon seeing their results and
SUNIDR Y |5
The SHPiEL:Volume 6, Issue 6
Gallery to decide next POTUS, showcase choice, perspective
to take five steps back from the frame
of a picture or a rabbi's politically
inclined High Holiday sermon to
capture a better light on the issue.
Visit theshpiel.org to view pictures from
the Nov. 4 Living Room Gallery opening
and The SHPiEL 's election pdrty.
visit the new theshpiel.org
BY EMILY SASSER
SHPiELA'ontributing writer
University of Florida Hillel is
combining art and politics to bring
one unique event beginning election
night' titled "Choice, Perspectives and
Elections."
The Living Room Gallery's new
exhibition will showcase photographs
by UF photojournalism students
and photojournalism professor John
Freeman. In addition to the photographs
will be an interactive piece about
women's reproductive health by Santa
Fe College Professor Jules Keith-Le
as well as a video piece--all of which
represent the impact perspective has
on choices.
One choice that will be highlighted
in particular is that of the future leader
of the United States of America.
The Living Room Gallery is a new
addition to UF Hillel. Brainchild of
Giselle Mazur, the Living Room Gallery
was created to encourage people to
recognize how religion can impact
different aspects of a Jewish life,
especially art.
The first gallery exhibition, which
opened at Hillel on Sept. 16 with meet-
an'd-greet, featured artist Mai'ilyn Binder
Silverman and her collection "New
Beginnings." .
The exhibit was chosen to coincide
with a new school year and with Rosh
Hashana, the Jewish new year. The
gallery works in cooperation with
UF's school of fine arts and is open to
artists from across the state. The goal
of this newest Gainesville gallery is to
showcase Judaism in non-traditional
ways through different artistic media,
including painting, drawing, sculpture,
photography and multimedia art
forms.
The upcoming exhibit about choices
and perspectives investigates what may
or may not empower a person to vote.
Professor Freeman has been a faculty
fellow with National Geographic and has
had the privilege to serve as an academic
intern with the ~Los Angeles Times. He
has earned numerous awards, including
Outstanding Educator of the Year
from the National Press Photography
Association in 2001.
Many political positions on topics
like the
economy ,
taxes or
abortion can
be easily
labeled left
or right on
the political
spectrum.
But things
like religion
and Judaism
fall into a
grey area. For
many voters,
religion plays
an important
roll at the
polls. These
and other
Yl t9
--- - -*- --~I
"Mission Accomplished" by Kyle Wolfe, a part of the new "Choice, Pespec-
tives and Elections" exhibit at UF Hillel.
ideas will be
addressed in presented artwork.
Pieces will question how Jewish
concepts like kashrut (dietary laws) and
tzedek (charity work) give Jews moral
guidance but do not necessarily dictate
nor direct the Jewish vote.
In photography as well as in politics,
it's all about perspective. It is important
Wolf Krakowski, a Yiddish-speaking
songwriter, singer and guitarist, was
born in 1947 at a camp for Polish Jews
who survived the Holocaust. Shortly
after, he and his family moved to
Skilstuna, Sweden, where they resided
until moving to Canada in 1954.
As a young adult, Krakowski toured
with blues singer Big Joe Williams,
performed street theater, built guitars
and worked as a carpenter.
This event is free and open to the
public and is sponsored by the Jewish
Student Ulnion, the Jewish Council
of North Central Florida and the
Kiahn Visiting Scholar Endowvment of
the Center for Jew~ish Studies at the
University of Florida.
Krakow~silu's two albums
"Transmigrations" and "Goyrl: Destiny'
hav;e received accolades fromt music
galleries and radio stations abk~e,
Including the Record of the Year award
In 2002 from One World Radio. The
earlier "Transmigrations," combines
\'iddish roots wvith a unique blend of
blues, reggae and rock. creating a style
distinctly his ow~n. His second album,
"Goyrl: Destiny," has a more refined
sound w\ith deeper toes and ghoulish
melodies.
I~bha Somie songs he's known for
reinventing are ''Shabes,
shabes," "Friling" and "Zol Shoyn
Kumen Di Geule."
As in the Nov. 15 concert, Krakowski
is often accompanied by The Lonesome
Brothers on his albums.
ProfessorJack Kugelmass, UFdirector
of Jewish studies and a key figure in
coordinating this event, described
Krakowski as a leading practitioner of
Jewish music.
"He's a native YIiddish speaker and
a really fine musician," Kugelmass said.
"The lyrics are very haunting--poems
by well-known people covering the Life
and deaths of East European Jewry. If
you like music whether or not you know
a single word of Yiddish, this is the
concert for you."
Kugelmass said he loves Krakowsia's
work and has listened to his albums
countless times.
"This is a rare opportunity for
students here in Gainesville to hear
something like this," he added. "It's
a chance to one up your parents and
grandparents. They never heard it thrs
good."
Whether you have a background
in Jewish culture or just enjoy unique
music. Wolf Krakowski's innovative
sound Is promiised to blowv your mind...
and your parents' minds...and your
grandparents'...
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6 | ARTS & E NTE RTA IN ME NIT
The SHPiEL: Volume 6, Issue 6
Wolf howls at moon in Yiddish
Nickelodeon star and Ghandi combo less entertaining than
Review expected: A review of Jonathan Levine's "The Wackness"
THE SHPiEL PRESENTS
A PRE-HANUKKAH GATHERING
OF MIRACULOUS PROPORTIONS
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5
MORE INFO SOON
I
The SHPiEL:Volurme 6, Issue 6
visit the new theshpiel.org
one of their son's many problems. Luke
is also a self-proclaimed loser, who is
only invited to parties to drop off his
goods before being forced to leave.
As Hollywood has repeatedly taught
us, there is still one girl for every loser.
Fortunately for Luke, his case is no
different. The summer after graduating
college, Luke falls for Squires'
stepdaughter, Stephanie playedd by
"Juno" best friend Olivia Thirlby), and
with nobody else around to spend her
days, she returns the favor.
While the film is adequately written,
most of the performances fall flat when
it comes to delivering the lines. Peck,
clearly in an attempt to break out of his
children's television mold, overplays
the part of the depressed and emotional
teenager a bit, while Thirlby seems to
wish she was playing Juno-lite.
The lone reason to see the movie
(and remember, movies at the Reitz
theater are free, aren't they?) is Sir Ben.
As Squires, we see Kingsley as we never
have before. There is just something
very special seeing the man who won
an Oscar for playing Gandhi take' a huge
rip from a bong in the film's opening
minutes. Like most workers in the
psychiatry field, Squires is in dire need
of a shrink, especially as his marriage to
a barely seen Famke Janssen is falling
BY DAN FEDER
SHPiEL staff writer
Playing through the first week of
November at the Reitz Union Cinema
is "The Wackness," an early 2008 film
by Jewish writer and director Jonathan
Levine.
"The Wackness" was a submission
to the 2008 Sundance Film Festival in
January, and the film picked up the
festival's Audience Award, while also
being nominated for the festival's more
distinguished Grand Jury Prize.
The movie stars Josh Peck--yes, the
formerly chubby kid from Nickelodeon's
"Drake and Josh"--as just-graduated
high school marijuana dealer Luke,
along with Ben Kingsley as his drugged-
up psychiatrist, Dr. Squires. Beyond the
expected prescription drugs, Squires
has an affinity for Luke's merchandise.
In fact, we are shown in the opening
scene that Luke pays for his psychiatric
sessions with an eighth or two of weed
per hour.
Set in 1994 New York City, "The
Wackness" centers on the depressing-
and sometimes excessively dramatic-
misadirentures of the pot dealer and
his shrink. Luke lives in an apartment
with his typically dysfunctional Jewish
parents, whose constant arguing is just
apart.
Kingsley's defining KINGSLEs~
moment comes when he
begins groping Luke's
hippy customer, Union,
played by none other than
a dreadlocked Mary-Kate
Olsen (or is it Ashley? Does it '
matter?). Squires is a balding,
depressed man throwing
himself full-force at a midlife
crisis. This conflict coincides
perfectly with Luke's attempt
to come to grips with his own **:
depression, and both choose
to take the easy way out:
not suicide, of course. Hard
drugs! They're the answer to
all of life's problems.
Yes, if seeing Ben Kingsley
go on a drug binge with the fat
kid frorn "Drake and Josh" is
high on your to-do list these
days, then "The Wackness" is
a must-see. If you have other
priorities, perhaps this film
is not worth your time. It ..
seems to be directed toward
people who share the same
age as Luke, but as college
students, we aren't too far out of the
target audience. If you've got a bit of
time, swing by the Reitz Union Cinema
JOSH FAMKHE OLIVIA M1ARY-IKATE MIETAHOD
Y PECK JANSSENI THIRLBY OLSENMN
",, we qm
4C
because Kinglsey's performance
provides plenty of entertainment--for
free, at that.
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Disclaimer: Most of the above information has been well researched. Some
was conceived while inebriated. We leave it up to you, ch dear, omniscient,
si ly reader, to figure out what's what.
*
visit the new theshpiel.org
The SHPiEL: Volume 6, Issue 6
1~ "'
eRa aeosar sese~ -
many opportunities to reduce it.
In the Quran, it is mentioned that
God told Moses to go to Pharaoh for
the king had exceeded boundaries
by his mischief. At the same time,
God told His Prophet to speak with
Pharaoh softly so he may be reminded
but without making him angry
on purpose. No matter how many
Americans will not be satisfied about
their incoming president, I hope they
will be nice and caring while giving
him their honest and clear advice,
positively or negatively.
All in all, today is not the starting
point of your political involvement.
That day was when you started to
think about society, economy, religion
and politics.
Today is.not the end point. It's
a point along the way. Keep the ball
rolling!
Questions? Comments? Contact Khader
at khader.abuelhaija@gmail.com
voted, your vote has already been
cast and counted and the outcome is
clear.
However it went with you, we must
remember that the most important
thing is to keep the president
accountable and to keep him advised
not only by "experts," but by the
voters, too. It seems the guys in the
Oval Office
sometimes are
toobsyradig Iam sure that if
papers about by today from sl
what the streets would realize thl
say about them contribution of I
and what they collective, civiliz~
do instead of
looking out of
the window to see the simple, clear
reality. Then, they end up being
mislead, willingly or unwillingly.
This goes all the way up the
government. Colin Powell's explicit
words about being a victim of this is
not an exception.
Well, maybe it sounds weird that
an alien like me is speaking his mind
about what Americans should do for
their country. I love America, and I
am doing this for her sake, almost
like someone who wants to return a
few favors.
I am sure that if someone dropped
by today from space, that alien would
realize the
tremendous
someone dropped contribution
ace, that alien of America to
tremendous the collective
merica to the civilization of
:ion of mnankind. humankind. 'I
wouldn't like
it if aliens,
or, more seriously, the coming
generations, saw that most elected
politicians today abuse America for
their self interest and their gangs,
while harming millions of people here
and abroad. Maybe corruption will
always be there, but there are always
Legally,
I am
identified in
this country
as an alien.
Not from
Mars, but
from Jordan.
But feeling
that you
KHADER ABU EL-HAUJA
b...ar a
-
-
-
-
--
-
-
--
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--
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2
belong somewhere is not limited by
citizenship.
I have lived here asan international
student, since my freshman year, and
I am an example of the millions of
people who travel to this country to
pursue happiness and enjoy Uncle
Sam's generous offer of liberty.
The poet Langston Hughes said
once, "I, too, am America!" I wouldn't
be crazy if today I said that I, too, am
America, for I am just one person out
of millions or billions who has felt the
impact of this country.
As you are reading this, if you
Years since first U.S. presidential election:
Times both major party presidential
nominees have been born outside the
contiguous 48:
Woman vice presidents in U.S. history:
Years since Democratic Party Chairman
Howard Dean's scream of death:
First-term presidents in U.S. history who
were older than John McCain:
Age difference between Obama and McCain
(largest ever):
Days until that abomination in the Oval
Office is officially out:
Days until new sitcom about Muslim, Roman
Catholic, Protestant, and NRA spokeswoman
airs:
219
0
0
4
0
24 years
77
40
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8 KVETCH
Wolsona Dash, Khador:
T1 I I I I I~ lI I IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIlill IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIII I I I I I I I I I I I I II l II I I ll
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THESH.E
Opinions expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect those of The
SHPiEL. We encourage comments from readers who possess all points of
view. No, really, we're interested in what you have to say. Feel free to write
a letter to the editor or you can contact us with a column idea. Please send
comments to theshpiel@gmail.com.
Thinking Outside the Lox:Noah today
The pictures are astonishing, quj
Ilterally something taken directly o
of the Bible Ihttp: ;'/w~ww.pbase.cor
paulthedane.' noahs_ark). The impet
for Hulbers' creation was the appare
dro~p-off of Christian worshipers in t
Nethe~rlandj. Evidently, he felt th
People needed a life-size wake-up c
to reconnect with their faith.
The second e-mail I received w
entitled "Noah Today." Here's
excerpt:
In the year 2008, the Lord came
unto Noah, who was now living
in the United States, and said:
"Once again, the earth has be-
come wicked and over -popu-
lated, adIse the ed of all
flesh before me. Build another
Ark and save 2 of every living.
You have 6 months before I will
start unending rain for 40 days
and 40 nights."
Six months later, the Lord
looked down and saw Noah
weeping in his yard-but no
Ark.
____~ _I ~1 _1_ ___ __
__ ~
visit the new theshpiel.org
BYr RABBI Y'ONI
ICAISER-BLUETH H
ite
rut
m/
us
Int
he
rat
all
as
an
II As wye begin
to recover from
the Inundation
of Jew\ijh holi-
UF Hillel Rabbi days and as we
enter the new
Jewish month of Mar (bitter) Chesvan-
which ironically is the only month de-
void of any Jewish holidays--we collec-
tively are able to catch our breath and
refocus on the rest of our lives. With
two months to go until the next Jewish
celebration, Hanukkah, it's no wonder
that the Torah cycle during this dry
spell is consumed with larger-than-life
stories meant to keep us engaged. And
no story is more jaw-dropping than
that of Noah's Ark.
Recently, I received two fascinating
e-mails from friends, both on the
subject of Noah's Ark. The first e-mail
described the work of Dutch creationist
Johan Huibers who built a working
replica of Noah's Ark "as a testament to
his faith in the literal truth of the Bible."
Ip~j~l~~aar~~6li**lsS
Johan Huibers with his working replica of Noah's Ark.
"Noah!" He roared, "I'm
about to start the rain!
Where is the Ark?"
"Forgive me, Lord, but
things have changed. I
needed a building permit.
My neighbors claim that I've
violated the neighborhood
zoning laws by building the
Ark in my yard and exceed-
ing the height limitations.
We had to go to the Devel-
opment Appeal Board for a
decision.
Then the Department of
Transportation demanded a
bond be posted for the fu-
ture costs of moving power
lines and other overhead ob-
structions, to clear the pas-
sage for the Ark's move to
the sea. I told them that the
sea would be coming to us,
but they would hear nothing
of it.
Getting the wood was an-
Other problem. There's a
ban on cutting local trees
in order to save the spot-
ted owl. I tried to convince
the environmentalists that I
needed the wood to save the
owls but no go!
When I started gather-
ing the animals, an animal
rights group sued me. They
insisted that I was confining
wild animals against their
will and it was cruel and
inhumane to put so many
animals in a confined space.
Then the EPA ruled that I
couldn't build the Ark until
they'd conducted an envi-
ronmental impact study on
your proposed flood.
I'm still trying to resolve
a complaint with the Human
Rights Commission on how
many minorities I'm sup-
posed to hire for my build-
ing crew. Immigration and
Naturalization are checking
the green-card status of most
of the people who want to
work. The trades unions say
I can't use my sons. They in-
sist I have to hire only Union
workers with Ark-building
experience.
To make matters worse,-
the IRS seized all my assets,
claiming I'm trying to leave
the country illegally with
endangered species. So, for-
give me, Lord, but it would
take at least 10 years for me
to finish this Ark."
Suddenly the skies
cleared, the sun began
to shine, and a rainbow
stretched across the sky.
Noah looked up in won-
der and asked, "You mean
you're not going to destroy
the world?
"No," said the Lord. The
GOVERNMENT beat me to
it."
As classes, exams, extra-curricular
demands and Gator football take
center stage, and as the echoes of
the High Holidays and Sukkot grow
fainter, the challenge we all face is
finding room in our lives for the
Jewish spark. Despite the absence of
Jewish holidays this month, we have
the incredible opportunity to find the
relevance and harmony of our tradition
within the rest of our chaotic lives. It
might not be as apparent as listening
to the shofar blast but the dots are
there, ready to be connected.
A~t Ihc(ttz nSC 170 offers a~ varrielty of' d~iver~st, teisitles at all
alf'folv~iable, pr~icc. ~17 hiavc owl*,ulay; 1 spec1iatls ranginglr fromll the i
al l-y:on-ca n-cat MedtIiterranac~r n cPstravagau~ttnxa to a1 Piz~at & Pastl.
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;sy,,,,,.Don t f'orget to, try our netwly opened
fulll colffee bar '
Comnlmnity Ja~va, Clolnnct~ion!
Enjoy our nrw mnixe~d nult, cand~y, and
Sdri~d fruit brar.
Over (iO varicoties! No trans-fart!
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* Alexj,,, icanFsta
LI.,oct: 11:30 uln 2:30 pm n
D~innr:cl .i:30- ::30 plal
('ommlulity Java;I (connectution:
(;0'ro0 \fr~ (jlIversit VAVO
IEnlvier Othlodlox losher~l stlleev\ision
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KVETCH |9
The SHPiEL:Volume 6, Issue 6
tastes from ar u nd th e world
Is hummus Israeli or Lebanese? Who cares? It's delicious!
a~ac~P~Z~P~'T~'~`f~"F~,~~ ~;~:.T'T 7r.;.T'~~.",~-;r::; ~~ -;~c;~~ -;=-~-?r;r-~-T----"-~-I_~1----T'--; .:.. _----~-~:~-~~~'~""'~';~:~T~~~ll'~'~;n''~
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visit the new theshpiel.org
methods like this one, says a lot about
the country.
" "Although this is a step in the right
direction, since it's much better than
rubber bullets, they are still cloaking
the Palestinian cause with a stink," he
said. "There is a cause beyond terrorism
in Palestine, and it needs to be shown."
De La Paz said he is worried that
the Skunk will impede the ambitions
of rational people who want to dissent
against the status quo. To him, the
weapon is similar in nature to water
hoses.
To Ranin Moreb, a former UF student
and member of Gators for Palestine,
there is no such thing as a good weapon.
Although he recognizes the fact that
the Skunk has the advantage of sparing
people's lives, Moreb said he sees the
weapon as a too-late Israeli attempt at
being humanitarian.
"It's not trying to rehabilitate people,
and it's not trying to listen to what
people are saying," he said.
humiliation. He believes that Palestinian
rioters would find being sprayed with the
smelly liquid a lot more embarrassing
than being shot and dying like martyrs.
Jason Attermann, president of the
Jewish Student Union and a political
science and anthropology major, said
he believes that the humiliation factor
is the advantage of the weapon.
The Skunk, he said, is a less harmful
yet more irritating force of coercion.
"If there's a chance to stop out-of-
control riots by angry militia, then it's
worth it," he said.
However, he said he thinks the
current protocols for rubber bullets and
other non-lethal weapons should also
be applied.
Alexander De La Paz, a UF political
science major, said that any country
that uses riot weapons as a means to
quell violence is an insecure one.
He said he believes that legitimate
protest is one thing, but squashing
dissent, especially with strange
there are good and bad sides to the
smelly weapon.
"Israel is clearly stepping in the
right direction to come up with non-
lethal weapons," he said, "but this
really sounds ridiculous because of the
smell." ,
Hernandez said he doesn't think the
Skunk will make matters change in the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict. To him, this
is only another way to mask unresolved
issues.
The weapon will be a mark of political
participation, he said, because rioters
and activists will be branded with the
smell,
Another problem is that passing
civilians may also be sprayed and
confused with rioters.
"After being sprayed, they are going
to go home to their mom and their dad
and what are they going to tell them?"
he said.
Hernandez said the Skunk has
psychological effects,, including
BY SARAH RHALOUI
SHPiEL contributing writer
Juan Felip eHernandez has experience
using Israeli weapons. He was outfitted
with an IMI Galil, an Israeli-designed
assault_ rifle built in Colombia, while
serving as an interpreter to about
380 officers and GI's in Sinai for the
Colombian army. But his duties never
included the putrid smell of the Skunk.
Israel's border police recently came
up with a new non-lethal weapon called
the S1Sunk that is designed to spray
crowds with a very smelly, non-toxic
liquid.
According to a BBC article, the smell
can linger on protesters' hair, skin and
clothes for at least three days, no matter
how much they try to clean themselves.
The odor is known to be so terrible that
the weapon cannot usually be stored in
police stations.
Hernandez, a UF history major and
Jewish studies minor, said he believes
BY TAYLOR SINCICH
SHPiEL contributing writer
Whether Lebanon succeeds~ in its attempt to gain "ownership" of tasty
chickpea dips from Israel doesn't change one simple fact: Hummus is
delicious! -
Du'ring all this shvitzing among international food patent allegations,
The SHPiEL wants to educate its readers on the tastes surrounding this
debated food delicacy. Here's a review of some of the more common
hummus brands you can find around Gainesville.
Review: Another awesome
Hummus with medium
consistency and great
taste. This brand has the
most exotic flavors, like
artichoke lemon pepper.
:You can find this at Ward's
'or Mother Earth Foods.
Definitely for those who prefer extra-
chunky peanut butter over creamy.
A homemade brand from here in
Gainesville, MaDame Blue Rose's is
:-typically only found at your local markets,
such as Ward's and Mother Earth Foods
(1237 N.W. 76th Blvd.).
Flavors include regular, garlic and
my two favorites, black bean and lentil.
Best thing: It's the cheapest hummus in
town.
1 (1|SUN~DR Y
The SHPiEL: Volume 6, Issue 6
Middle-Eastern conflict takes on a new smell
Athe n os:
A mild-medium consistency between
smooth and chunky. Crushed herbs
and spices make a nice addition,
Athenos is a great brand with
different flavors than the rest,
including "Greek style." Definitely the
best choice for people who want to
experience a trip to the Mediterranean
from their dorm room. You can
find Athenos at your local Publix or
Albertsons.
Sabra:
A nice ultra-smooth mixture that's
soft as mashed potatoes.
Sabra is one of the most common
-brands out there. You can find it at
Publix, Ward's Supermarket (515 N.W.
32rd Ave.), and even convenience
stores selling food products. Flavors
range from roasted red pepper to
roasted pine nuts. For those whose
spice buds aren't easily overheated,
try the "supremely spicy" hummus.
Pita Recipe:
One of the most important things about hummus
is what you eat with it. Here is a simple way to
make your pita go from the ordinary to pita-
rif Ic:
Cut the pita into six pieces. Cover each side
with a little olive oil, pepper, salt, garlic powder
and oregano land whatever other herbs and spices
you want). Bake in an oven at approxiimately 300
degrees for eight minutes. Enjoy!
Crossword #14
Fresh food sold with a fresh perspective:
The spiritual journey of Shai Tzabari
visit the new theshpiel.org
Across
1. Biblical sign of mourning
4. Home to Babel
10. Golden __of Spain
13. Chazzer house
14. Imitate Reiner
15. Fabric
17. Haman's father
19. Nizer bargain?
20. Village of Simeon
21. Dinah or Pauly
23. 700
24. Cause to be
27. Chief Ammonite city
29. Gonif
32. "Barney Miller', __
Linden
33. Capp or Jolson
36. Ones like Joseph wore
38. Tekiah and Teruah
42. Newman's hobby
44. Lag B'Omer sights
46. Use a Mikveh
47. High priest vestment
49. Nosh (Eng)
51. Gaza to Beer Sheva (dir)
52. Sabin's milieu
54. Asher's first
56. Righteous Jew
60. Protects
64. Leather punch
65. Made aliyah
68. Seder plate item
69. Trotsky
71. Chicago pitcher
74. Ancestry
75. Cosmetic lady
76. 1501
77. Divorce papers
78. Steiglitz
79. Hebrew letter
Down
1. Jacob's boy
2. Israel in 1948
3. Rickover or Kaplan
4. E. Lazarus specialty
5. Acted
6. Byzantine and Messianic
7. Adam's son
8. Artist Ilya
9. Tallit collar
10. Snake
11. Actress Radner
12. Opt
16. Political party
18. 2,600
22. Diplomat
25. Gabbai catch
26. Fiddler's station?
28. Sound the shofar
30. Levayeh notice
31. Olympiad Strug
33. El Al employee
34. Round for Spitz
35. Hirsch, initially F
37. Appear
39. Torah breastplate
40. Eat(Yid)
41. Her
43. Like chametz on Passover
45. Imitated Paul Simon
48. Man Ray art style
50. Zeta Beta ___, fraternity
53. King of Gomorrah
55. Songster Lorenz
.56. Goliath
57. German author, Stefan
58. Moses on the mount
59. Western Wall
61. Quarters
62. Irwin Hasen comic strip
63. Writer Gertrude
66. One's person
67. E'er to Peretz
70. Biblical fishing device
72. Ashdod to Jericho (dir)
73. Shiva mood
See next issue for solutions to this puzzle
BY FARYN HART
SHPiEL staff writer
At first glance, it would seem that
this affable couple has committed to
being simply ecologically responsible,
but behind the organic bananas, carrots,
greens and tubs of pickled olives and
vegetables is a far deeper sense of
spiritual responsibility.
Shai Tzabari is a self-proclaimed
Jew who lives with his wife Charlotte
in Velusia County and travels into
Gainesville every Wednesday to sell
naturally grown produce at the Union
Street Farmer's Market in the downtown
plaza.
He told me his story while he and his
wife packed up after another successful
Wednesday at the market.
He spent six years in the Israeli
Air Force before coming to the United
States in February 2000 to explore.
He eventually stayed for the lucrative
opportunities,
Tzabari met Charlotte, who was a
member of a Messianic congregation,
and, though they fell in love, he still
didn't fully believe her religious
convictions. He then attended a
conference in Orlando where he heard
two Israelis preaching about the
Messiah.
He stayed after to speak with them,
and he says that from this point, he
received salvation. He said he began to
have a faith in life, an eternal life.
Tzabari had always had an issue with
the overwhelming amount of mitzvot,
or commandments, of Judaism he was
told to honor. He came to believe that
they were not there to tell him what not
to do but rather to guide him to live a
moral life.
He compares this to purchasing
something new. You need to know
what you are buying. You need to be
in the store, trying it on and testing it
out as opposed to ordering it over the
Internet--when you receive it, the item
may be too small.
He quotes the line in Ezekiel that
inspired the change in his journey:
"A new heart also will I~ give
you, and a new spirit will I put
Within you: and I will take away
the stony heart out of your
flesh, and I will give you a heart
of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26)
Tzabari says he is born again, as
God opened his eyes to Jesus and he
accepted salvation into his heart. By
restoring that relationship he believes
One is able to communicate with '
God, to heal and perform miracles,
as modern-day as they may be.
He says he has love and
freedom with God and he has
found life, endless, eternal,
"I have received the Lord into
my life and I follow what he wants
for me," Tzabari said.
On explaining his Jewishness,
Tzabari described how he has
a 100 percent involvement in
Judaism. He understands the Old 1;
Testament and his Jewish roots but :
explained how Jewish traditions
are different everywhere. Jews
from Eastern Europe eat kaneidel,
American Jews eat matza balls.
Sephardic Jews eat rice on
Passover, Ashkenazi Jews do not.
And so his traditions are different,
too.
He now lives as a provider and
a healer in a world of war that is
separated from God.
Author's note: This is the third
in a series of stories about Jews who
wandered from the way, exploring other
truths and life paths. These stories do not
aim to convince anyone of any particular
truth but to bring the individual stories
of people and their light in a non-
threatening, non-proselytizing mode.
"Suum cuique pulchrum est. To each his
own is beautiful". If we declare "never
again" then this "never" should apply to
our own intolerance.
~T~j~iB : ii r I- r
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SUN DR Y | 1
The SHPiEL:Volume 6, Issue 6
', .
ti~L 1' -cs~ c ~ -;
A group of students at Hillel make decorations out of recyclables prior to the "Go Green Go
Blue" event.
Schedule of Events for Israel Awareness Week
Nov. 17-21
Morrday: Cultural Day
o Sample free Israeli food in Plaza of the Americas
o Play traditional Israeli games
o Decorate T-shirts with Israeli symbols
Tuesday: Movie Night
o Enjoy snacks and watch the Israeli film Beaufort about a
commander in the Israeli Army during the Lebanon War.
Wednesday: David's Project Speaker
o Join Gators for Israel for a lecture by Jonathan Schanzer, an
expert on the Middle East conflict
Thursday: Environmental Day
0 Come to a seminar about Israel's water conservation
o Learn how to build an environmentally friendly drip-irrigation
system
Friday: Israeli Shabbat
0 Enjoy Israeli-style cuisine and desserts provided at both Hillel
and Chabad
visit the new theshpiel.org
The SHPiEL: Volume 6, 1ssue 6
BY LEORA ARNOWITZ.
SHPiEL contributing writer
The word "monoa" means engine in
Hebrew, but lately this word has taken
on a new meaning with the creation of a
grouD at Hillel called Monoa.
Thie Monoa board is made up of
Jewish students on campus who have
been doing their part to go green by
organizing events to raise awareness
of Israel's contributions to the
environment.
"Piretty much what we're doing is a
year-long campaign that will educate
people about Israel's environmental
technology and how to implement it
in their lives," said Brandon Glantz, a
member of Monoa.
The end result will be the creation of
the first ever Israeli technology garden
at Hillel.
Glantz is a junior at UF and he runs
the Monoa board.
"My whole goal is to bring Israel
beyond the conflict," he said. "What I'm
trying to do is show how Israel has made
a large contribution to society through
environmental initiatives."
The group made its first step in
working toward that goal on Oct. 15
with its kickoff event "Go Green, Go
Blue." The event was held in conjunction
with the Jewish Student Union and was
sponsored by Birthright Next, a program
for Birthright Israel alumni.
More than 100 people turned out for
the (Rent, according to event organizer
Arielle Fine.
Fine said the event was a social
gathering celebrating Israel and its
contributions to the environment.
A photo -contest of scenic pictures of
Israel was also held, and the winner of
the contest received an iPod Shuffle.
The next event Monoa is planning
will be during Israel Awareness Week on
Nov. 20. The program is an educational
seminar on how to implement Israel's
environmental technology into everyday
life.
Israel Awareness Week director Emily
Bernstein' said this is the first year since
she has been at UF that there has been
an environmental day as part of the
Week.
"I think the environment is at a
critical point, and it's so important to
make people aware of this," she said.
A seminar with Mike Granoff, who
will speak about the development of the
electric car in Israel, is planned for Jan.
13, and Monoa is organizing a free light
bulb exchange to trade old light bulbs
for energy-efficient light bulbs.
The result of these environmental
programs will be on Feb. 8 with the
grand opening of a garden outside of
Hillel that uses Israeli environmental
technology, such as rain-water retention
and drip irrigation.
The opening coincides with the
holiday of "Tu B'Shevat," a Jewish
holiday comparable to Arbor Day-
Glantz said that the garden will
serve many~purposes--it's going to be
a museum where people can see Israeli
technology implemented, it will be
used to grow spices for CafC Olam, the
restaurant at Hillel and it will be a place
where students can study and hang
out.
BY ELAINE WILSON
SHPiEL staff writer
Josh Greenberg has better playlists
than you.
His musical superiority comes from
Grooveshark.com, the brainchild of
Greenberg and his co-founder, Sam
Tarantino .
;iooveshark.com, according to the
Web site, is "a music-sharing community
in which users listen to music for free
online, download music and earn free
songs for sharing." It's no wonder that
with such easy access to constantly
streaming media, Greenberg can rock
your melodic world.
At 21 years old, Greenberg is a
cultiTrally Jewish atheist who takes
great pride in his background. (Sitting
in the boardroom of the Grooveshark.
com office in downtown Gainesville,
his eyes bright, he alludes to the early
days of Hebrew school and the joys of a
Jewish family environment. He smiles,
adding, "My mom lays a fair amount of
guilt trips on me.")
Greenberg found his way into the
spacious third-story office above
Dragonfly Sushi & Sake Company
restaurant after a chance encounter in
an entrepreneurship class at UF. Sam
Tarantino, now CEO of Grooveshark.
comn, pitched to Greenberg what was
then just an idea inspired by a sign for
the purchase, sale and trade of used
CDs.
Ambitious but not overzealous,
the two budding businessmen worked
through the logistics of realizing the
dream and took the first steps toward
building a company.
"Obviously, we had never done
anything like this before," Greenberg
said. "Sam got his first investment
actually, from his mom."
In an office much smaller than
their current headquarters, Greenberg
engineered the technical aspects of
the site while Tarantino developed the
business elements of the company.
The official launch took place on
March 23, 2007.
Before long, Greenberg and
Tarantino needed more help and more
space. Changing offices and adding
personnel, Greenberg said the process
was rewarding.
"We attracted the exact kinds of
people we were looking for."
Greenberg said Grooveshark.com
employees don't think of their work as
a job. "Everyone who works here is very
driven--no one looks at it as a full-time
job." This unique perspective is what
makes Grooveshark.com so distinct
from its competitors.
"We look at illegal downloading
as a given, and that 90 percent of the
market is used to having free music,"
Greenberg said. Grooveshark.com
accomplishes that compromise between
legal and simultaneously appealing-
"The products that we create are very
reflective of the culture we have," he
said.
Grooveshark.com's vision of
uninhibited music sharing continues
to grow as more and more users log on
each day.
"The company--the way 'it's
evolved--has been incredible to view
from the inside," Greenberg said. "Here
at this company we're getting better
and better at what we do."
i '
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12 |KVETC H
An engine for the environment
Making waves on the web: Josh Greenberg of Grooveshark.com
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